Pakistan strengthens Climate-Commerce link to secure food supply

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is seeking to align its trade and climate strategies to safeguard the country’s food supply chain, amid growing concerns over affordability and efficiency.

Federal Minister for Commerce of Pakistan, Jam Kamal Khan held a meeting with Romina Khurshid Alam, who recently assumed charge as Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, along with a delegation representing Pakistan’s food chain sector.

The meeting focused on aligning Pakistan’s trade and climate policies to ensure a resilient, efficient, and sustainable food supply chain amid evolving global and domestic challenges.

Participants emphasized that while food availability and accessibility remain relatively stable, affordability and supply chain efficiency require immediate attention.

The delegation highlighted the need to minimize disruptions to essential industries, particularly the dairy and food sectors, which are highly sensitive to energy fluctuations and logistical inefficiencies.

Minister Jam Kamal Khan said the government was committed to maintaining uninterrupted economic activity in key sectors, adding that better energy use and improved logistics would be central to strengthening supply chains.

He noted that sustainable growth in trade depends on strengthening domestic supply chains and enhancing coordination between federal and provincial stakeholders.

On this occasion, Romina Khurshid Alam stressed the importance of integrating climate resilience into food systems, pointing out that climate-smart agriculture, efficient resource utilization, and reduced wastage are key to long-term food security.

She highlighted the government’s focus on encouraging behavioral change, energy conservation, and environmentally responsible practices across industries.

The delegation also shared insights on fuel consumption patterns, transport inefficiencies, and the need for optimized freight systems, including better utilization of trucking capacity and greater reliance on rail networks.

Both sides agreed that policy measures should focus on efficiency improvements rather than restrictive approaches, ensuring that economic momentum is maintained.

Special attention was given to promoting alternative mobility solutions, digital supply chain management, and public-private collaboration to enhance productivity while reducing environmental impact.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on developing a coordinated framework between commerce and climate institutions, aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s food systems, supporting industry continuity, and advancing sustainable economic growth.